Home Stretch

When I got into the sewing room yesterday, I started sewing and didn't stop until I'd completed the fifth row of six sections. Only the tip of the tail is left to finish.

When I've finished the final row of six sections, there will still be a pieced border to add, but that will be a breeze compared to the quilt center. At least I'll be able to chain piece it, and there will be fewer colors. Already I've reached a point where I'm finished with the browns, oranges, blacks, and whites. Oh yes, and I can't forget that I'll be adding an applique eye to the bird and some applique holly berries. So it's close, but not quite there. It'll be good to clear some space from my work table. Once started, these mosaic quilts are slave masters. With several colors sorted into several color values, it's pretty much required that one keep going to the bitter end.

And Smitty is bitter about all of this. For one thing, he can't walk freely on the table when there are so many pieces spread around.

Instead, he's been keeping things organized near the sewing machine.

How can you cut anything with these dull snippers?

On the other paw, this chair looks promising. I could take a nap here.

If you're wondering about that medicine bottle behind his head, no, it isn't for headaches, or anxiety, or rage attacks. It's my sharps container. I put my bent pins and broken needles in there.

Before heading into the sewing room yesterday, I stitched up the whole of the barn quilt block.

By the time I'd finished for the morning, I was well on my way stitching the barn. I'm loving that variegated brown Valdani floss.

I've been pulling off a length about 16 inches, but it wants to shred by the time I get to the end, and it starts leaving fuzzies on my embroidery. I'm thinking some Thread Heaven might help. I'll give it a try this morning and report back on how it goes. Sadly, Thread Heaven is no longer in production. When I learned it was being discontinued, I purchased a couple of containers. It's a useful product, and fortunately, there are alternatives. You can read more about it at that link I've given you.

Also, a few of you "no-reply" people have asked me what kind of pens I use to transfer my embroidery designs. I like the Pigma Micron pens. They come in several sizes and lots of colors. My own preference is an 02 size. It gives me a nice thin line (permanent). Anything smaller doesn't write well on fabric, and the point is rather fragile. Some people like the FriXion pens with ink that disappears with ironing. I have used them on occasion, but I worry about them a little bit. The manufacturer specifically states not to use them on fabric. My personal belief is that they haven't been tested long-term on fabric, and possibly they're fine. For me, the Pigma Micron pens are a viable alternative, and so that's what I use. It really comes down to personal preference and level of anxiety about such things. (See reference to medicine bottle above.) And as long as we're talking about this, I might as well add that if you really hate tracing, you can always give the Sulky Sticky Fabri-Solvy a try. I've used that before, and I would use it again. It's especially good for designs that are very detailed. I used it when I made the Vintage Tin quilt several years ago.

There was no way I wanted to trace out those large and detailed designs, and so I gave it a try. Still, Pigma Micron pens are my preference. If you're interested in doing more hand embroidery, then it's worth it to give all of these products a try and see what you like best.

It might be the last nice day of fall today. Mike and I are heading south to pick up another wine shipment. And the cardinal has had me sewing at such a fevered pitch that I've completely neglected housekeeping chores this week. Probably I'll take a break from it today and get caught up. There's always time for slow-stitching though, and so that's where I'm headed next.